When comparing Yandex.Shell (Launcher+Dialer) vs Mi Launcher (MIUI), the Slant community recommends Yandex.Shell (Launcher+Dialer) for most people. In the question“What are the best launchers for Android?”Yandex.Shell (Launcher+Dialer) is ranked 13th while Mi Launcher (MIUI) is ranked 29th. The most important reason people chose Yandex.Shell (Launcher+Dialer) is:

Yandex.Shell’s default widgets include: an indicator bar which you can use to toggle various settings, like WiFi and brightness; a weather widget to show local forecasts; a call log widget to show you recent calls; even a birthday widget to track your friends’ birthdays. There are over 25 widgets available.

Specs

File SizeVaries with device

In App PurchasesNone

PublisherЯндекс

Required Android VersionVaries with device

File Size1.8M

In App PurchasesNone

PublisherNikao

Required Android Version4.0.3 and up

Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking

Pros

Pro

Number of Yandex widgets

Yandex.Shell’s default widgets include: an indicator bar which you can use to toggle various settings, like WiFi and brightness; a weather widget to show local forecasts; a call log widget to show you recent calls; even a birthday widget to track your friends’ birthdays. There are over 25 widgets available.

Pro

Transforms your dialer

Not only is Yandex.Shell a launcher replacement, it transforms your dialer as well by giving it a new interface and some new features.

Pro

Easy setup

Quick setup and easy customization without sacrificing eye candy.

Pro

Clean interface

Clean without loosing detail and variety.

Pro

Customizable with themes

Pro

Independent of Google services

Almost all Google services are removed from this Android-based UI in favor of creating a competing ecosystem of apps, games, themes and services.China government prohibit the Google services

Pro

Combines best of iOS and Android launchers

MIUI has visual similarities to iOS and TouchWiz and combines functionality from both iOS and Android OS and its variants. For example, MIUI has no apps drawer and instead puts all app on homescreen pages the same way iOS does.

Pro

Runs faster than stock Android

MIUI includes performance tweaks that give it a edge in speed compared to stock Android.

Pro

Detailed installation instructions for supported devices

Step by step instructions (with screenshots) for flashing MIUI ROM can be found for each of the supported devices on the companies website. For example, here is the flashing guide for Nexus 5.

Pro

Fast development cycle

New features and updates are released regularly.

Cons

Con

Not enough functionality for advanced users

The in built options are a bit limiting when compared to other popular launchers, which makes it difficult to fit all use cases of users.

Con

Some bundled services are available only in Chinese

Xiaomi, the developers of MIUI are Chinese and their primary maket is China. As such primary language for most apps and services is Chinese and not all of them have yet been translated to English or any other language.

Con

A Mi account is required for using bundled services

Various services and apps require a Mi account. For example, buying new themes requires spending Mi currency that can only be obtained if a Mi account is available.